Apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbons



June 4, 1929. L. c. HUFF I 1,716,136

APPARATUS FOR THE CONVERSION OF HYDROCARB ONS Filed Feb. 23, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 4, 1929. L. c. HUFF APPARATUS FOR THE CONVERSION OF HYDROCARBOIS 2 Shoots-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 23, 1924 Patented June 4, 1929.

UNITED STATES mn 0. Born; or onroaeo, ILLINOIS,

' 1,716,136 PATENT OFFICE.

ASSIGNOR TO UNIVERSAL OIL PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF .SOU'I'H DAKOTA.

APPARATUS FOR THE CONVERSION 0]! HYDROCARBONS.

Application filed February 23, 1924. Serial No. 694,512.

This invention relates to improvements in process and apparatus for the conversion of ydrocarbon oils, and refers more particularly to the treatment of heavy or high boiling point oils of a hydrocarbon nature to produce maximum yields of lower boiling point products.

The particular novelty of the present invention resides in the treatment of heavy oils, suchas residuum, by subjecting said oil to the direct action of highly heated steam injected into a body of such oil, maintained in a still, preferably introducing said steam in a finely divided condition. This feature is combined with the novel construction resulting from positioning the steam conduits between the source of heat and the body of oil, thereby accomplishing a twofold purpose, the super-heating of the steam to any desired temperature, and the screening of the bottom of the still to prevent the heating medium from directly impinging on the exterior bottom surface of said still.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a si e elevational view of an apparatus embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged end elevation showin the various connections to the still.

ig. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the still.

Referring to the particular embodiment of my invention as shown in the drawings, 1 designates a still of usual construction, which in the present instance takes the form of a horizontal shell. The still, of course, may be of any desired size and may lie in a vertical plane. The still is provided with the vapor dome 2, from which dome extends the vapor line 3 provided with valve 3 connected to the condenser coil 4 seated in condenser box 5, which coil is connected with the receiver 6. The latter is equipped with the pressure relief valve 7 liquid drawoif 8 controlled by valve 8, sight glass 9-and pressure gauge 10. A safety valve 11 may be interposed in the vapor line 3 between the dome 2 and coil 4, in addition to the throttle valve 3.

The oil, such as heavy fuel oil, crudes of low Baum gravity, residuum from a previous process, etc., may be watinuously introduced into the still through She inlet 12, controlled by valve 13. The stall is provided with the manholes 14, which may be removed when it is desired to clean the interior of the still. The still is mounted M the furnace 15 having the partition bafile wall 16, and heated by burners 17. The gases of combustion may be withdrawn through the duct 18, controlled by damper 19 connected to the stack 20. Any suitable fuel may be used, such as fuel oil, gas, etc. 4

Referring now to one-of the particular features of my invention, I position a plurality of conduits 21 directly beneath the exterior bottom portion of the still. These conduits are connected to a source of steam supply (not shown) by which a regulated amount of steam may be forced therein, regulated by the valves 22. The conduits 21 are preferably placed close enough together to form a protecting screen to prevent the heating medium from coming in direct contact with the bottom surface of the still. The steam, after being heated in the conduits 21, is injected into the body of oil in the still through the pipes 23 controlled by valves 23', which are positioned close to the bottom thereof, provided with spaced apart perforations 24. throughout their length. As shown, these perforations 24 are preferably located in the lower portion of the pipe to deflect the steam downwardly toward the bottom of the still.

In the preferred form of operation, the conduits 21 extend inwardly into the still from both ends, terminating ust short of the center of the still. Steam is introduced to the ipes 23 through the header 25, the valves 23' eing opened. It is to be noted that the conduits 21 are also connected into the headers25, and that the latter are positioned on both ends of the still. The liquid drawofis 26 provided with valves 27, are tapped into the end of the still for ascertaining the liquid level therein. When the level of oil in the still 1 has reached a predetermined point, ascertained by manipulation of the valves 27 liquid level drawofiz' 26, the valve 13 is closed and the contents of the still further heated until substantiall all of the volatile constituents have been riven off, and only a heavy coke-like mass remains in the still.

The steam, which may be either saturated or superheated, assists in distilling the heavy residue introduced into the still By spraying said steam onto the shell bottom, the mass will be kept in a state of constant agitation, resulting in a maximum absorpt on of heat from the shell bottom. In addition, spraying steam against the bottom prevents substantial amounts of carbon from accumulatint. on the still bottom, while the mass is maintained in a ll( uid condition, which practically eliminates the danger of hot spots.

The heav residual oil may be introduced into the sti l 1 either in a heated condition, or at atmospheric temperature. A temperature of BOW-1000? F. may be maintained on the liquid in the still. A pressure of from five to several hundred pounds may be maintuined on the system, or it may be operated at atmospheric pressure.

It is understood this process may be operated either continuously, or as a batch process. I claim as my invention:

An apparatus for distilling hydrocarbons under high temperature conditions, comprising a still positioned in a furnace, a plurality of conduits extending along the exterior lower surface of the still, means for supplying steam to said conduits, a plurality 0 conduits extending along the lower interior surface of the still, means for supplyin steam, subsequent to passage through said rst conduits, to said second conduits, said second conduits bein so perforated that the steam will be directe directly a ainst the lower interior surface of the s'ti 1, whereby direct application of extremely hot combustion gases to the lower portion of the still is prevented and coke deposition upon the interior surface 30 of the lower portion of the still avoided.

LYMAN C. HUFF. 

